Hank Williams Jr. Receives Iconic Award

Celebrating a career that has spanned five decades, country-rock pioneer Hank Williams Jr. will be honored as a BMI Icon at the performing rights organization's 56th annual Country Awards. The black-tie, invitation-only gala, set for November 11 in Nashville, will also recognize several of the past year's most-performed country songs by BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) writers and publishers.

Past BMI Icons include country music legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels and Loretta Lynn. Other acts outside of country music who've been honored include the Bee Gees, Steve Winwood, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Isaac Hayes, Kinks frontman Ray Davies and James Brown.

The 56th Annual Country Awards will recognize the songwriters and publishers of the top BMI-administered country songs played on American radio and television over the past year. BMI will also honor the Country Songwriter of the Year, Country Publisher of the Year, and Most Performed Country Song of the Year. Hank Jr will be honored with an all-star musical tribute to his career.